Jefferson Pierce: Comic Book Icon

In the entertainment business, cartoon characters are treated as real celebrities and public figures with full careers and accolades to match.

Black Lightning (Jefferson "Jeff" Pierce) is a superhero appearing in American comic book published by DC Comics. The character, created by writer Tony Isabella with artist Trevor Von Eeden. 

The original candidate for DC Comics' first headlining black superhero was a character called the Black Bomber, a white racist who would turn into a black superhero under stress.

When the editor who had approved the Black Bomber left the company before the character had seen print, Tony Isabella (whose previous writing experience included Luke Cage, a black Marvel Comics superhero with his own title) was asked to salvage the character. Isabella convinced editors to instead use his Black Lightning character, which he had been developing for some time.

Black Lightning #1

Black Lightning's first appeared in the comic book, Black Lightning #1 in April of 1977.

Although not the first black superhero to be featured in DC Comics stories, Black Lightning was DC's first African-American superhero to headline his own comic book series. This took place during the Bronze Age of Comic Books. He provided representation for African-American readers who had long been underrepresented in the superhero genre. Making him a symbol of empowerment and a relatable role model for many black readers. 

Thus, sending Mr. Pierce on a shooting rocket to stardom in the late '70s.

Isabella wrote the first 10 issues of Black Lightning before handing it over to Dennis O'Neil, and Trevor Von Eeden designed the character's original costume and drew the first 11 issues. Only one issue scripted by O'Neil came out before the series was canceled in 1978.

DC ran into financial trouble in 1978 which led them to cut back the majority of their titles causing the cancelation. This proved to be a blessing in disguise however, as the character went on instead to feature prominently in books like Justice League of America in DC's new slimmed down offering of titles, exposing him to more readers. Thus, marking his cross over period by entering various DC Comics storylines and team-ups, interacting with other iconic superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and The Justice League. This integration into the larger DC universe solidified his position as an important character in the superhero landscape.

Black Lightning was intended to appear on the '70s television series Super Friends, but disputes between DC and Black Lightning's creator, Tony Isabella, led to the creation of the show’s original character Black Vulcan.

Black Lightning, a DC Comics superhero, was important for several reasons. He was one of the first major African-American superheroes to have his own standalone comic book series. Created in 1977, he was a groundbreaking character and helped diversify the world of superhero storytelling. Black Lightning's character also addressed social issues and themes related to race, discrimination, and urban crime, providing representation and empowerment for readers who may not have seen themselves reflected in mainstream superhero stories previously. Additionally, the character has had a lasting impact, appearing in various storylines, team-ups, and adaptations across different forms of media.

Black Lightning offered a positive and dignified representation of black people and black culture through several key aspects.

He defied racial stereotypes often associated with comic book characters of color at the time. 

He was an accomplished educator and principal of a high school. His portrayal emphasized the value of education and intelligence, debunking negative stereotypes often associated with black characters being limited to sidekick or secondary roles.

With a strong moral compass: Black Lightning was depicted as a hero driven by a strong sense of justice, responsibility, and protecting his community. He prioritized doing what was right and defending the innocent, embodying positive values. Overcoming adversity, storyline soften saw him fight against social injustices, inequality, and systemic issues plaguing his city. His struggles and triumphs represented the resilience and determination of black individuals fighting against adversity.

In 1995, a new Black Lightning series began with art by Eddy Newell and again written by Tony Isabella, who was fired after the eighth issue and replaced with Australian writer Dave de Vries. The series was canceled five issues after Isabella left the title.

A Black Lightning: Year One six-issue limited series, written by Jen Van Meter and illustrated by Cully Hamner saw a bi-weekly release in 2009, and was nominated for two Glyph Awards in 2010.

Black Lightning: Year One

The character's backstory and interactions with his family showcased the importance of familial bonds and community unity. Black Lightning's role as a mentor and father figure further emphasized the values of love, support, and guidance.

Black Lightning later goes on to father two superhero daughters, Thunder and Lightning, and work closely alongside Batman as a founding member of the Outsiders superhero team.

Black Lightning's daughters

Black Lightning has proven a popular character for DC and was ranked 85th overall on IGN's "Top 100 Comic Books Heroes" list in 2011. The character has been adapted into various media, including animated television series, video games, and comic strips. The character and his stories were adapted for live-action Black Lightning TV series, which ran from 2018 to 2022.

In summary, Black Lightning's significance lies in his groundbreaking influence on subsequent black superheroes. He paved the way for increased diversity and inclusivity within the genre, making a lasting impact on popular culture. As well as, set an example to be followed by black people in the real world.